Prostate cancer now kills more people than breast cancer, research shows

Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer to become the third most deadly cancer in the UK, according to a new report by Prostate Cancer UK.

Roughly 11,819 men are dying from the disease in the UK every year compared to 11,442 people with breast cancer - the death rate for which has been steadily decreasing over the past 20 years. Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Angela Culhane said:

"It's incredibly encouraging to see the tremendous progress that has been made in breast cancer over recent years...With half the investment and half the research it's not surprising that progress in prostate cancer is lagging behind."

She added:

"However, the good news is that many of these developments could be applied to prostate cancer and we're confident that with the right funding, we can dramatically reduce deaths within the next decade."

Prostate cancer: What you need to know

In the UK, roughly 130 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every day and – while the majority of incidences occur in people aged 70 and over – it's important that all men know the signs and symptoms of this potentially fatal condition. Here, we catch up with Dr. Jan Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer at MEDIGO – the leading booking platform for safe medical travel – to bring you the simple three step process of knowing, checking, and treating your prostate.

1. Know it

Knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer is undoubtedly the most important steps when it comes to keeping on top of your health. Prostate cancer happens when certain cells within the prostate start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. While it can be a slow-growing cancer, some forms of prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and require immediate medical treatment – which is why it's important to catch it as early as possible.

"The earliest sign of prostate cancer is usually a problem with urinating, either in the form of needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night, or having an inconsistent flow when urinating. It is important to note that this might not necessarily be a sign of cancer as, with age, the prostate becomes enlarged and can result in the above anyway."

Other symptoms of prostate cancer can include:

Lower back pain, rectal pain or discomfort.

Difficulties relating to sex, such as blood in the semen or pain when ejaculating.

Erectile dysfunction.

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2. Check it

As mentioned above, some of the early symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as those of an enlarged prostate. However, if you find that you are displaying a number of the above symptoms over a period of time, you should definitely make an appointment with your GP.

"Once you reach the age of 55, it's a good idea to be mindful of your health and attend your annual checkups, which will include a prostate exam and are essential for spotting any abnormalities early and receiving timely treatment. One in seven men will get prostate cancer, so keep an eye out for any unusual changes and listen to your body."

3. Treat it

The treatment of prostate cancer varies depending on the age of the patient and stage of the cancer.

"The most common surgical procedure is a prostatectomy, but it can have a big impact on a man's life, as men can become impotent or suffer from incontinence following the surgery. Other treatment options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or high-intensity focused ultrasound."

Each of the options has its own pros and cons, so you should sit down with your doctor and discuss each option in detail in order to choose the one that will suit you best.

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